Daily Devotinal Day 63

If our religious life remains dependent on the natural man to serve God, failure will come whether we realize it or not. It is not God's will that a godly person serve the Lord so faithfully and still end up having trouble in life. In many cases it is not that a person can not hear His voice. It's just about out running it. This zeal gives people no rest and God wants the best for us which includes rest, peace and a calm spirit. Paul had to be knocked off his horse and blinded for three days in order for God to speak to him. Peter also had this problem on the roof top. They both wanted to serve God in their natural strength.

The religious institutions support the outside in system of living. This can distract us from hearing the voice of God by making us secure in a religious experience, even though we are still acting in the wrong strength. We also may receive affirmation from religious leaders that we are doing a good job. At the same time, we are building up our natural man. When an activity, even a seemingly religious one causes us to rely on our own strength, we become carnal at first and sinful in the end. Building up our own strength delays us from dealing with our need to rely on and trust in God and hear His voice.

"Commit your works to the Lord (submit and trust them to Him) and your plans will succeed, if you respond to His will and guidance."

Proverbs 16

Discerning what is of Him and what is of us can be difficult, but not impossible! We must stop, pause, ask Him and listen for His answer. This takes time and practice. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind when you are operating in your own strength. Ask Him to show you His will and to give you His strength to carry it out.